Every batch of everything gets a bad one now and then. Its not uncommon to see 2 or 3 engines out of a set of 100 to have some problems down the road.
Ive test driven a s10 with the 4.3 auto, it had some balls to it, almost ran the thing out of fuel because i kept seeing how it would take off.

And mike, i can say this at least, thats the nicest and cleanest looking lowered s10 ive ever seen imo.